The Midwest At Your Finger Tips

May 12, 1996|By Mark Wukas. Special to the Tribune.

Back in the pre-800, pre-World Wide Web dark ages of the 1950s, '60s and '70s, preparation for a family vacation went something like this:

First, you decided what states you wanted to visit (or planned to pass through). Then, you got out a stack of postcards, scribbling on each a quick note ("We are planning to visit your state this summer. Please send us vacation information. ..." Or something to that effect.) And, finally, you addressed each to some generic "Tourist Office" in care of the state capital of each intended destination.

And then you waited by your mailbox. And sometimes waited and waited.

You can still do that today, but there are many other options--most of them quicker and more likely to provide the information you need.

Early in April, we called each state's travel 800 number, identifying ourselves as travel writers for the Chicago Tribune and requested the basic tourist information--which normally includes a travel guide, a calendar of events and a state map. (Some states sent additional information; if you're interested in a particular activity or more detailed information of a specific region, ask--if they have it, they'll send it.)

We also asked each tourism department whether it had a home page on the World Wide Web, and, if so, its address. (We even inquired if they had travel videos; however, only one state--Missouri--did, but it was only available for travel agents and educators.)

To test the speed at which states' responded to traveler requests, we also made separate requests via phone and mail without identifying our Tribune connection. The results of this test are in the accompanying box on Page 1.

So what are Illinois and other Midwestern states offering their prospective visitors? Here's a state-by-state roundup:

Illinois

The Illinois Department of Tourism has two hefty 1996 publications, a statewide visitors guide and a calendar of events. The visitors guide provides an overview of outdoor activities, festivals, special holiday events and sites of historical interest throughout the state.

Although Chicago is a major feature of Illinois tourism, it does not dominate either guide. In addition to the many world-class attractions covered in the "Chicago" section, "Chicagoland" lists sites of interest ranging from Elmhurst to Gurnee.

Casting its net wider, the guide has extensive listings for Northern, Central, Western and Southern Illinois, including accommodations. The equally exhaustive calendar lists statewide events day by day, month by month through the year. The calendar also lists the dates for all county fairs and breaks down the five Illinois regions by activities from ballooning to water skiing. Both the guide and calendar have a one-page map of the state that will give you a general idea of state geography but not something you'd want to use for travel.

The visitors guide also emphasizes taking advantage of the department's special phone number that puts you in touch with a travel adviser who has listings for events in every corner of Illinois and recommendations for lodging from the biggest Chicago hotel to the smallest downstate bed-and-breakfast.

It is this service that makes the Illinois Department of Tourism a national trendsetter in getting tourist information to anyone who's interested in visiting Illinois. If you're looking for a romantic weekend getaway less than three hours from Chicago in a B&B that has a fireplace in a town that has shopping, antiques and nearby recreation, you'll get recommendations for several locations in Illinois, not just Galena. In addition, you can have the information in 20 minutes via fax or e-mail so you don't have to wait for the mail.

The Illinois Department of Tourism also has a site on the World Wide Web (http://www.enjoyillinois.com) with abundant travel information.

Phone service is fast and courteous, although the travel consultants are a little programmed with advertising cliches. Call 800-2CONNECT. Or write: Illinois Bureau of Tourism, 100 W. Randolph St. No. 3-400, Chicago, Ill. 60601.

Indiana

Of the eight states we surveyed, Indiana allocates the least for its tourist office ($3.5 million--ranking it 42nd of all 50 states in 1994), but you'd never know it from its tourist packages. Your request to the Tourism and Film Development Division of the Indiana Department of Commerce brings a state travel guide, a travel directory and a booklet of festivals and events. In back you'll also find listings for 68 free brochures describing specific areas and attractions in Indiana, which are yours for a phone call. The guide also includes coupons offering 10- to 40-percent discounts for lodging and activities.